Cristian is a 21-month-old boy from Bolivia. He is an only child who lives with his mother, who operates a small grocery store out of the front of their home. They are from a mining city in the mountains of central Bolivia. Cristian has ventricular septal defect, a heart condition where a hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart. Because of this, blood leaks through this hole, leaving him weak and short of breath. On June 19th, Cristian will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Cristian's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Cristian's mother shared, "I am looking forward to seeing my son grow healthy and strong once his heart is fixed!"

Julius is a 16-year-old teenager from Kenya. He is known as a friendly boy from Matungu village in Kakamega County. Julius is in grade 8 at Lung'anyiro Primary School. His mother passed away while giving birth to him, so he has been raised by his grandmother, who is a farmer. Julius has clubfoot of his left foot. He had a healthy birth, but at the age of four, his grandmother noticed a sudden bend in his left foot. He began to limp and tiptoe while walking. They took him to a nearby hospital, but due to financial constraints, they couldn't continue with the follow-up treatment. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Julius traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on July 18. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Julius's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk well and continue with his studies uninterrupted. He dreams of becoming a doctor in the future so he can help other children. His current situation fuels his ambition to make a difference in the lives of others. "I am looking forward to healing quickly, putting on shoes, walking, running, and playing football like my friends," Julius said.

Adriel is a preschooler from Bolivia. He lives with his grandmother, who adopted him and his two sisters after his parents left the country. Adriel attends a day program for children with special needs. He likes playing with his sisters and helping his grandmother. Adriel has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole, leaving him weak and unable to grow properly. Adriel also has Down syndrome. On September 18th, he will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will insert a device attached to the end of a catheter into his heart, and plug the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Adriel's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Adriel's grandmother shared, " I would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping this dear boy to have a healthy heart!"